We’re going to be focusing on families in lower socio-economic groups for this round of funding. A number of research studies show that children from families in these groups are less active than those in higher socio-economic groups.

Why are families important?

Our insight tells us that families, and in particular, parents and caregivers, play a key role in shaping a child’s attitudes and behaviours. This is also true for physical activity and sport. They can:

Provide support and encouragement – but they can also add pressure

Share their own sport and physical activity passions – but they can also share their fears

Facilitate access to various opportunities to be active – but they can also limit options

Model active behaviour by taking part with children – but can also model sedentary behaviour.

We want our investment to support families on low incomes to allow their children to have positive experiences and develop competence and confidence in their ability to be physically active.

What is the purpose of this fund?

Underpinning our investment is the need to ensure experiences are fun, enjoyable and/or deliver value to children and their wider family.

We want our funding to give families inspiration and confidence to take part together and enable quality family time.

Parents and caregivers play a key role in shaping a child’s attitudes and behaviours

We anticipate successful applicants will encourage families to plan and take decisions together, with children involved in shaping how they and their families are active.

We believe the funding should support families taking part together. This means we need to reshape the support and offer which traditionally focuses on the child and leaves adults on the sidelines. We need to address a gap in provision to ensure that families can take part together.

Meeting the challenge

This work will also ensure we meet the outcomes set out in the Government’s strategy Sporting Futureas projects won’t just be about increasing physical activity.